The religious sect has million of followers all over the world.
Three people have been killed and ten injured in an grenade attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village, a senior police official said today. The religious sect has a large following all over the world and has centres across the country. Surinder Pal Singh Parmar, a senior officer, said the injured have been taken to the hospital. The grenade was lobbed by bike-borne persons at a religious congregation of 'Nirankaris' which was being held the village. The attack took place amid a high alert that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists had entered the Punjab and were "planning to move towards Delhi". Police are analyzing CCTV footage and trying lo identify attackers. The terror angle is not being ruled out. "It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group (of people) and it is not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it as that," Punjab Director General of Police Suresh Arora told news agency PTI.
"I appeal to the people of Punjab to maintain peace in wake of Amritsar blast. I urge them not to panic and to remain calm. We will not let the forces of terror destroy our hard earned peace," Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said.
Here are the latest updates on Nirankari Bhawan blast:
UP Director General of Police OP Singh has issued instructions to step up security at all the religious places in the state.
A three-member team of National Investigation Agency will reach the blast site in Amritsar today: news agency ANI
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday offered his condolences to the families of the people killed in the grenade attack at the Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village."I am very hurt by the news of the attack in Amritsar. The incident is condemnable. I express my sympathy to the families of the deceased," he said.
The possibility of involvement of ISI-based Khalistani/Kashmiri terror groups could not be ruled out. Police teams have been rushed to raid suspected hideouts, Captain Amarinder Singh said
A man said that his daughter, who offers service at the temple, was threatened with a gun by two men. They went inside, opened fire and threw an explosive
Union cabinet minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal launched a sharp attack on chief minister Amarinder Singh. " When will you and your ministers stop encouraging elements bent on disturbing hard won peace? Stop playing politics and get down to serious governance. Punjabis don't want to go back into dark era," she tweeted.
Heartfelt condolences to families of people who lost their lives and wishing quick recovery to those who got injured in today's #NirankariBhawan attack, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said
Initial reports suggested that two people armed with pistols came to the venue, police chief Surinder Pal Singh said. "There was a religious congregation over here and they lobbed a grenade," he added.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to for peace in wake of Amritsar blast. "I urge them not to panic and to remain calm. We will not let the forces of terror destroy our hard earned peace," he said.
Deeply anguished by death of innocent people in grenade attack in Amritsar in Punjab today. It's a reprehensible act of violence. My condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this attack&prayers for speedy recovery of the injured: Home Minster Rajnath Singh tweeted.
Out of 250 people who were present in the religious congregation, 3 dead & 15-20 injured. As per initial reports, 2 people had come over here who lobbed a grenade here: IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar was quoted saying by ANI
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has condemned the attack.
Out of 250 people who were present in the religious congregation, 3 are dead and 15-20 injured. As per initial reports, 2 people had come over here who knocked a grenade here: IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced Rs. 5 lakh for the victims and free treatment for the injured.
Every Sunday, hundreds of devotees gather at the hall in Adhiwala village for prayers and kirtan. About 250 people were inside the hall when the attack took place.
Punjab was on alert following an input claiming that "a group of six to seven JeM terrorists were reportedly in the state, possibly in Ferozepur area. The state was put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.
"A grenade has been lobbed and 5-10 persons have been injured in the incident," a senior Punjab police official, who visited the incident spot, told reporters.
The grenade was lobbed by bike-borne persons at a religious congregation of 'Nirankaris', according to eyewitness accounts.
My condolences are with families of those who lost lives in this incident. It is an attempt to disturb peace in Punjab. I believe all the security agencies should stay alert and coordinate with each other to maintain peace: Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress Chief
The police are examining the CCTV footage to identify the attackers.
An intelligence alert was reportedly issued by the IGP, counter intelligence, Punjab, on November 14.
The village where the incident took place is around 8 km from airport.
Two men on a motorcycle, their faces covered, reportedly threw a grenade near the Nirankari Bhawan, where a religious ceremony was on at the time.